JUDE 1

Jude 1:1-2

[1] Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: [2] Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Who was Jude?

It is common belief that Jude was actually the brother of Jesus and James. This is not Judas the betrayer.

Ÿ There are many similarities between Jude 1 and 2 Peter 2. Through years of study, no one can say with certainty which book was written first. Although most scholars believe that Jude was actually written first.

Ÿ In any case, they both say a lot of the same things.

Jude 1:3-4

[3] Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. [4] For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

A quick comparison example

2 Peter 2:1-3

[2] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign

Lord who bought them —bringing swift destruction on themselves. [2] Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. [3] In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Ÿ The similarities are noteworthy.

Ÿ The message is basically the same but both writers are putting special emphasis on "false teaching" and the potential damage these teachers can do to the message of Jesus and salvation.

Jude 1:5-7

[5] Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. [6] And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling---these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. [7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

Ÿ It is interesting to note that God's justice will be served.

Ÿ Does this mean that we can lose our salvation?

Ÿ This is actually speaking about those who pervert the Truth and by doing so, cause believers to abandon the Way of Truth.

Jude 1:8-13

[8] In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams

these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. [9] But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” [10] Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct---as irrational animals do---will destroy them. [11] Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. [12] These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm---shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted---twice dead. [13] They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Ÿ Let's look in more depth at verse 10.

Ÿ They slander/lie about things they don't UNDERSTAND.

Ÿ Nature references? Creation damaged by sin.

Question: Where do we get or find understanding?

Ÿ God's Word/ Truth.

Ÿ They don't know the truth!

Ÿ And what they think they understand only comes from their naturally sinful nature.

Ÿ Animal instinct!!!

Ÿ It will destroy them! (Blackest darkness).

Ÿ Their goal is to drag you down with them.

NOTE: These are warning signs for us to be ware of to help us identify these evil anti-Christ, anti-scripture animals.

Jude 1:14-16

[14] Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones [15] to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” [16] These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Ÿ It's all a bunch of lies. Twisting scripture to get what they want.

Jude 1:17-21

[17] But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. [18] They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” [19] These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. [20] But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Ref: 2 Peter 3:3-7

Ÿ How do we prevent these people from infecting the Chuurch of Jesus?

Ÿ Build yourself up in the faith (scripture, fellowship, prayer).

Jude 1:22-23

[22] Be merciful to those who doubt; [23] save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Ÿ This is our instruction to reach others for Christ.

Thoughts

1. Identify the people and things that can weaken our faith.

2. Stay in scripture.

3. Ask God to protect you.

4. Share the TRUTH with everyone.